Other health conditions

Some glaucoma eye drop medicines may affect other health conditions such as:

asthma

lung disease

heart disease.

Tell all the doctors you visit about all the medicines you are using to ensure you receive the most suitable glaucoma eye drop.

To get the best from your eye drops

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your eye drop technique.

Use daily routines such as mealtimes or bedtime to help you remember to use your eye drops.

You may find it easier to use your eye drops if you have someone help you, use a mirror or lie down to instil the drops.

Throw away your drops and get a new bottle as instructed. This is often 28 days after opening.

If you have poor vision, try storing your eye drops in the fridge. You will feel the cold drop going into your eye.

If you use more than one eye drop, wait for at least 5 minutes before using the next drop.

Always wash your hands before using your eye drops.

A handy tip for using your eye drops

Once you have inserted the drop, close your eye and press your index finger gently against the inner corner of your eye near your nose, without touching the eye itself. Then hold for at least 2-3 minutes.

This helps keep the drops in contact with your eye and reduces side effects.

Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about the medicines you are taking.

PROVIDED BY: University of South Australia - Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre

IN ASSOCIATION WITH: Discipline of General Practice, The University of Adelaide | School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide | NPS MedicineWise | Australian Medicines Handbook | Drug and Therapeutics Information Service

Topic materials available on this website reflect information current at the time of distribution. Images on this website and in Veterans’ MATES publications are stock images from photo library sources. They do not picture Department of Veterans’ Affairs staff, clients or constituents, or imply that the individuals pictured have the medical conditions discussed in Veterans’ MATES articles.